Hey all, computer issues are finally sorted (I hope) and it's time to look at what happened at minicamp this week. It's going to be pretty slow until Mankato in July, so enjoy the info-fest while it lasts!
Note - NFL preseason starts in 44 days!!! AHH, so close!! 76 days til the actual season starts!!
- We're after Desmond Bishop (MLB), but we've got competition as the Jaguars, 49ers and Chiefs are also battling for his services. He did have hamstring surgery last year, although word is he's back to 100%. Apparently we made an offer that he's not satisfied with, but I don't want to break the bank for a dissatisfied MLB. Let's have Erin Henderson (MLB) show us what he's made of instead.
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson (QB) - I wonder how many times it'll take typing his name before I can do it without spelling it incorrectly and having to fix it. Anyway, apparently his arm strength has improved greatly since last year, and he's put a lot of effort towards correcting his footwork. I see him sticking around as #3 on the QB roster, but next year...I wonder if Cassel will still be here? Will McLeod?
- Christian Ponder (QB) - everyone has been gushing about his "improvement" even as they mention blips and blops and bad throws. Still, if he really gets rid of the rust at Mankato, and develops a bond with someone :coughGregJenningscough: he might get some polish and be the kind of guy we can rely on down the stretch of stressful NFC North games. He's been called "sharp early, and responding to adversity" throughout this offseason. Sounds a lot like the beginning of last year, and I'd like to go on record saying that beginning well isn't good enough, not if you want to make a run into the playoffs. We don't know how much longer we'll have Peterson as the beast he is, and it's time to really get down and serious.
He says himself in an interview that he's getting more comfortable and he isn't undervaluing the importance of being uncomfortable on the field. He's focusing on his decision-making and accuracy, to which weary Vikings' fans say "SKOL!"
- Matt Cassel (QB) - has been a pretty damn good leader in the locker room, which really surprised me. I can only hope Ponder is taking notes and will manage to be a leader at least on the field during the season. Cassel's arm strength seems to have improved too, which makes me take my hat off to our strength training staff.
- Stephen Burton (WR) - apparently is one of the most improved over the last year and definitely poised to challenge for a roster spot. What this means to Webb, I'm not sure, but I am super excited to see how it pans out!
- Joe Webb (WR) - has picked up his new playbook very quickly and is deft and accurate in his new positions. According to the reporters, he doesn't look like a newb out on the field, which is good news for him, and probably for the rest of the team too!
- Andrew Sendejo (S) - he's been pretty quiet, but apparently has made one or two stellar plays in minicamp. This is his third year (right? I think?) so if he can suddenly break out and become much-needed depth at safety, I'm all for it.
- Greg Jennings (WR) - big, fast, and a strong leader. Not only that, but he's smart in the classroom and more than willing to mentor the young guys. I say, epic pickup, Front Office.
- Jarius Wright (WR) - looks likely to not only make team, but to be a difference-maker down the stretch, improving on last year's success. Why don't you and Ponder have a nice broseph session to cement your QB-to-WR mental transmissions?
- Jerome Simpson (WR) - Healthy again! I'm psyched to see him on the field, fighting fit and ready to take his "great offseason" and go play with something to prove to the world.
- Cordarrelle Patterson (WR)- big, freakish athlete that made a good transition from junior college to the SEC, and hopefully can make a similar jump to the NFL, once he's refined his skills.
- Greg Childs (WR)- working his ass off to get back on the field, positive attitude and a lot of potential.
- Sharrif Floyd (DT) - apparently the Vikings have been putting him through his paces on the pass rush, and the team says he can rock it, but other NFL insiders are saying it's why he dropped. I say, go look at some old Gators' footage and come back with some actual insight, bro.
Nor are the Vikings expecting to start Floyd (please excuse me while I go dance with joy) this season, which is just incredible news to me. It'll give him time to learn the game (and the speed!!), pick up what he needs both for his role at nickle and for when he'll have to go in for Williams' spot, and still do it at a decent pace, without the pressure of the whole game (and system) riding on him as a "weak" spot newbie.
- Kevin Williams (DT) - played about 70% of snaps last season, and is expected to play fewer this season. I don't like it, but line rotations have worked for teams before, like the Gators, and having (relatively) fresh bodies on the bench isn't a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.
- Xavier Rhodes (CB) - now I do expect him to start. The reports from him have been fabulous, and frankly, we're pretty thin at corner and safety.
- Adrian Peterson (RB) - getting back on track after his sports hernia surgery, and is finally feeling "normal" again. I'm pleased he's feeling better, and that he's discovered he's allergic to lobsters and shrimp (I mean, that sucks, because lobsters and shrimp are awesome, but we know now so he and the training staff keep epi-pens on them at all times now, which is a relief since we depend on him so much!), and really performing as a leader and mentor to the rest of the team. Also, he finally practiced at minicamp after being held out several days. I won't lie, all that R&R the coaches were insisting on was starting to worry me.
- Harrison Smith (FS) - dude is entering his sophomore year and they call it the sophomore slump for a reason. Still, Frazier says he's got his head on right and won't succumb to the sort of on-the-field recklessness that can lead to botched plays and 6 for the other team. Cook and Robinson are probably going to be the starting cornerbacks, unless Rhodes bumps off Robinson or some sort of three or four man rotation is established. Jamarca Sanford will be back at safety, but I'm putting my money on Smith growing into the leader of this unit. He's got the instinct, and the ambition. Now we just need to get him the experience and attitude (I think he's got the attitude to be honest) to turn him into a true skill player, hopefully one that will retire in purple and gold, and head straight for the HOF! Some really good news is that Smith is now so comfortable with the Vikings' playbook he's practically an extra assistant coach. Now that is the most encouraging thing I've heard this entire offseason!
- Christian Ballard (DT) - he's going to have to fight pretty hard, being behind both Kevin Williams and Sharrif Floyd, but but Ballard is a versatile guy and it's been rumored he might switch back to the outside. Last year he played DE a couple of times, which is another option for us, or he could become our spare battery, willing and able to step in anywhere in the line to give a tired Viking a chance to catch his breath. Whatever his role ends up being, Ballard is a valuable player and I want him here in Minnesota!
- John Sullivan (C) - his knee is recovering on schedule and he should be ready to start for camp in Mankato. Mistral Raymond (S) should be over his hamstring and ready for camp as well, along with Rhett Ellison (TE)'s calf.
That's all for now folks, but I'll be back with more later. SKOL!
P.S. Happy first day of summer!
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